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Like any other child, the child with acondroplasia has the natural need for movement. However, the development of its motor behavior is subject to specific disturbances. Despite this, these children use the potential they possess and develop a modified form of motor behavior. Specialty studies have highlighted that lack of movement is likely to negatively influence some innate functions. Driving education is of particular importance, as motricity is one of the means that contributes to the development of the nervous system.The aim of this study is to find physiotherapist methods and means, applied as early as possible, adapted to the characteristics of the child's development process with acondroplasia, but also its low adaptation capacity, in order to help it acquire the most speed and to evolve as quickly as possible in the psycho-motor plane.
Key words: physiotherapy, acondroplasia
1.Introduction
Chondroplasty causes most types of dwarfism. It is part of the group of conditions called generic chondrodistrophies. Chondroplasty is characterized by abnormal bone growth and small stature determination with disproportionate short arms and legs, large head with frontal bulging, collared chest, high weight and characteristic facial features.
The child has decreased muscle tone (hypotonia). Due to the large head, especially compared to the rest of the body, but also to the low muscle tone, the child with acondroplasia will experience "delays" in reaching the motor goals in the development stages [5]. The primary defect described in acondroplasia is abnormal endochondral ossification. Periosteal and intramembranous ossification are normal.
The tubular bones are short and thick, reflecting normal periosteal development. The apophyses of the iliac crest are normal. Endochondral cartilage is abnormal. The extreme affectation of the upper extremities is rhizomelic with the proximal segments more involved than the distal ones. The shoulders appear large due to the normal development of the collarbone and the musculature. The short arms contribute to the formation of muscle masses and the apparent developed scapular muscles [2]. Total elbow extension is lost. The lower limb is rhizomelic with contractures in flexion of the thighs, ligamentous laxity and external rotation with the genus recurvatum before walking. The tibia is arched, causing genus varum. The most important complication in people with chondroplasia is the neurological one associated with spinal canal stenosis [3]. The...